Delhi to Varanasi Ganges Plains Cultural Route

A cultural journey from Delhi to Varanasi via Agra, Orchha, and Khajuraho.

Travel east across the Ganges Plains and Bundelkhand: visit Delhi, the Taj Mahal, the historic town of Orchha, the temples of Khajuraho, and finally the ghats of Varanasi. This itinerary relies mainly on trains with chartered cars for intermediate segments, offering a more layered experience than the Golden Triangle. It is perfect for travelers interested in architecture and religious culture. It bypasses Jaipur and Rajasthan.

The high-speed train from Khajuraho to Varanasi does not run on Thursdays; plan your dates accordingly.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrival in Delhi & Tomb Visits

Delhi（Humayun's Tomb、Lodhi Garden、India Gate）

Transfer from the airport to the city center (approx. 1 hour). Take a taxi in the afternoon to visit the southern tombs and the central axis.

Stay: Connaught Place

Day 2 · Full Day in Old Delhi

Delhi（Red Fort、Jama Masjid、Chandni Chowk、Qutb Minar）

Take the metro to the Old City and ride a rickshaw through the bazaars. Take the metro and then a taxi to South Delhi in the afternoon.

The Red Fort is closed on Mondays. It is best to explore the narrow alleys of the Old City in the morning.

Stay: Connaught Place

Day 3 · Express Train to Agra

Agra（Agra Fort、Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb、Mehtab Bagh）

Take a morning express train to Agra (approx. 2 hours). Take a taxi in the afternoon to visit Agra Fort and the riverbank.

Stay: Taj Ganj

Day 4 · Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri

Agra（Taj Mahal、Fatehpur Sikri）

Walk to the Taj Mahal in the early morning. Take a chartered car to and from Fatehpur Sikri in the afternoon (approx. 3 hours round trip).

The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; do not schedule your visit for this day.

Stay: Taj Ganj

Day 5 · Train to Jhansi & Transfer to Orchha

Orchha（Jahangir Mahal、Raja Mahal、Ram Raja Temple）

Take an early express train from Agra to Jhansi (approx. 3 hours), then take a taxi for approx. 18 km to Orchha.

The Gatimaan Express does not run on Fridays; take the Shatabdi Express instead.

Stay: Around Ram Raja Temple

Day 6 · Orchha Morning Light to Khajuraho

Orchha（Royal Chhatris of Orchha、Chaturbhuj Temple） → Khajuraho（Khajuraho Light and Sound Show）

Visit the riverside cenotaphs in the morning. Take a chartered car to Khajuraho in the afternoon (approx. 170 km, 4 hours).

Stay: Around the Western Group of Temples

Day 7 · Western & Eastern Groups of Temples

Khajuraho（Western Group of Temples、Kandariya Mahadeva Temple、Lakshmana Temple、Eastern Group of Temples (Jain)、Raneh Falls）

Explore the Western Group on foot in the morning. Take a taxi or bicycle to the Eastern Group in the afternoon, and visit Raneh Falls (approx. 1 hour round trip).

Stay: Around the Western Group of Temples

Day 8 · High-Speed Train to Varanasi

Khajuraho（Archaeological Museum Khajuraho、Chausath Yogini Temple） → Varanasi

Visit the southern temples in the morning. Take the high-speed train around 15:20, arriving in Varanasi at night (approx. 8 hours).

As you will arrive late, arrange a station pickup in advance. Train schedules are subject to official timetables.

Stay: Cantonment and Sigra

Day 9 · Ghat Sunrise Boat & Sarnath

Varanasi（Assi Ghat、Manikarnika Ghat、Kashi Vishwanath Temple、Sarnath、Sarnath Museum、Dashashwamedh Ghat）

Take a sunrise boat ride along the ghats. Take a taxi to Sarnath in the afternoon (approx. 40 minutes) and return to the ghats by evening.

Photography is strictly prohibited at the cremation ghats. Arrive early to secure a spot for the evening Ganga Aarti.